[mattdg81]

Can someone tell me how to get this effect using adobe illustrator, mostly how the squares are, don't know if i need to use the 3d tool, but can't figure it out, since it cures and fades as well.

[media]http://mdggraphics.com/images/squ.jpg[/media]

 

[red514]

using the 3d tool to warp a grid design sounds about right. the gradient effect can be done as an overlaid object with a gradient in it, doesn't look like the gradient follows the mesh or anything, just fades in from the sides.

 

[Fidel]

I agree I would try to do it with the 3D tool.
It's harder to make the gradient to alpha 0% in AI than in PS (if you want to be able to change the bkg color easily). You make a grandient on the first layer then a second layer with a gradient mask to the first. I'm not even sure if that's totally correct I always have to look it up in my AI book

 

[mattdg81]

that is what i tired doing creating a grid, using the rounded rectangle tool, making them about 30 px by 30 px with about 5 px space between them, then use the 3d rotate tool, and get something close, but on the picture the gap seems to curve a little, and with the gird i get strait lines, how would i get that slight curve effect

 

[Fidel]

Ok, I think I got it.
My AI is in a foriegn language so the description may not be exact.

1) draw as many of the rounded rectangles as you like, group them together into one layer, chose the layer, all squares will be highlighted as one object
2) go to Object - Envelope Deformation - Make with warp or with the object highligted press alt+shift+ctrl+w
3) in the little popup, first go and click the Preview box under OK and Cancel so you can see what's going on when changing the settings
4) in the first rolldown choose Blowup (circle, third from bottom)
5) I only changed the first percentage bar to 26%

Click OK and you should now have the same squares but the outer ones will be bulging out into a round shape. This is also called a "fisheye" effect, i.e. in photography.

6) goto Effect - 3D - rotate
7) again choose preview so you can see what's going on "live"
8) my settings are 64°, 40°, -19°
9) change perspective to about 114°
10) click OK!

Hope this helps

 

[mattdg81]

oh wow that is perfect.. exactly what i needed you, pretty much got it exactly the only thing was instead of blowup, it's inflate but (circle, third from the bottom) was correct , thank you very much.